You know, I'm tired of Torch flamebaiting diary entries (see below). But his last one - though probably false - touches on something I've been thinking for a while.
Cheney will not be Bush's running mate in the end, unless Bush's numbers turn around dramatically.
They will cite health reasons, and may even stage an urgent visit to the white house MD for a "heart-related irregularity." I don't know what the silly details will be.
But it seems to me, these people won't let go of power easily. We've all speculated elaborate schemes. But we've almost ignored the simplest one: cause a stir on the ticket, that will gather media attention and change the dynamic of the race. Giuliani? Powell? Who knows.
While I am purely speculating, which I try not to do too often, this is one where I'm just waiting for it to happen. In my mind it's almost 50/50.
Will it help them? I don't know. In the end, the incumbent is judged on the performance of the economy and the success of his endeavors, not on the political character of his running mate.
Are we ready for this? How do we prevent such a shift from harnessing media attention and momentum, especially if it happens late in the game (October)?
Thoughts?